Help us help young peopleStartMoneySmart

What's been going on...

Jameel Webb-Davis instructs the financial portion of the

CWU Fresh Start
Program

Look at these beautiful faces! These women feel encouraged and
empowered to make a "Fresh Start"! Jameel Webb-Davis was asked to
teach a class about credit cards. The class went so well, that
Crittenton Women's Union asked Jameel to return and finish the whole
series on financial literacy, as well as handle programs in the
future. It was a great program and very inspiring to receive such a
wonderful response. Read more
about what these women had to say.

StartMoneySmart featured in recent issue of
Boston NOW

On September 11, 2007, Scott Wachtler, reporter for the BostonNOW,
wrote a story on Start Money Smart and Jameel's entrepreneurial
ventures. Read the
article...

What's coming up...

StartMoneySmart will be offering programs at Natick High School and Haverhill High School.

Natick High School has asked Start Money Smart to speak during
Kwanzaa week at Natick High School. Jameel Webb-Davis will be
speaking to students and their parents that are participating in the
METCO program.

Haverhill High School has asked Jameel to return and speak to the
Young Women's Group and Teen Parent Group on financial literacy.

Haverhill Community Violence Coalition, Inc. (HCVC), has
also asked Start Money Smart to work with students in the community to
add financial literacy to their program. HCVC is a non-profit
organization dedicated to bringing together community members who are
committed to addressing and preventing all forms of violence
throughout the community.

See what's new on the website!

Support Start Money Smart by making a donation on-line! Click here
for more information.

MJOrganizers has its own separate website focused at helping
small business owners and organizations stay financially organized!
Check it out!

Review other organizations with financial literacy information,
tools for parents, and articles to review. Check out our new
Resources link.

Workshop Pricing

Workshops can include classes in succession or over several days.
Reduced prices for non-profit organizations. Visa/MasterCard/American
Express accepted.

"What should I teach my kids about personal
finance?"

This question is what most parents should be asking themselves,
because the truth is, their kids most likely are not going to learn it
in school.

Many parents feel that if they teach their kids to save their money
and they make sure they get a good education, they'll be okay. Don't
assume that if your kids get a good paying job, they'll understand how
to manage their money. Financial literacy is more than the
accumulation of money.

So what are some ways parents can teach kids financial literacy?

PAYING BILLS IS NOT
COMMON SENSE!

Paying bills is a task that most people will have to handle sometime
in their life. However, the assumption has become that the task is
simple, and requires no preparation, training, or even discussion.

In today's society, the belief is that paying or not paying bills is
a money issue. "People who don't pay their bills, must not have any
money, right?" Don't fall into believing this myth. You'd be
surprised how many people with money can't get their bills paid on
time.

Paying bills can be complicated - paying bills has
become a more complex task than it was for our parents. With on-line
banking, automatic deduction, and debit cards there are many ways to
pay bills. Do you understand the rules involved with all these
methods?

More bills at a younger age - Years ago, people
didn't have bills until they got married and moved into a house.
Nowadays young adults can have a mailbox full of bills before they
move out of their parent's home. Phone bills, car payments, auto
insurance, credit cards, student loans, and more. There's a lot more
to manage, and young minds aren't always prepared for that
responsibility.

Banks and credit card companies - yes, these
institutions can be a big part of the problem. Companies have caught
on that big money can be made from loans - especially the high-risk
kind. Banks are more willing to give credit cards and make loans than
ever before. The interest rates and fees involved ensure that anyone
who doesn't stay on top of paying their bills can really pay a price.

Staying organized so your bills get paid is a skill that actually
needs to be taught. Start Money Smart offers workshops for adults,
parents, and teenagers that address these and other topics regarding
financial literacy. Check out our website for
more information.

Next month...
Teach your kids how to handle their finances, by including them in
your financial decisions.